Getting Around Kraków

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Though there's no underground metro in Kraków (yet), the city boasts a comprehensive and easy-to-use public transportation system, which some visitors won't even find necessary thanks to most attractions being within easy walking distance of one another (not to mention walking being one of the best ways to enjoy Kraków). In this section you'll find all you need to know about getting around the city with general ease via tram, bus and taxi.

Public Transport

While Krakow has no underground metro system it does have an integrated bus and tram system which runs from 05:00 - 23:00, with night trams and buses continuing less frequently after that. Check timetables and network maps online at mpk.krakow.pl (which has English functionality), or figure out how to get from point A to point B via krakow.jakdojade.pl - an invaluable navigation site and transport app.

Transport tickets can be purchased from the handy ticket machines (also in English) at major stops, and on-board most trams and buses. Note that not all ticket machines take bills and bank cards, so it's wise to have some change handy.

Tickets are the same for trams and buses, and are timed, allowing you to change between tram or bus lines within the alloted time. The cheapest current fare is good for 20mins at a cost of 3.40zł. By our estimation, this is about the time it should take to go 5-8 stops, depending on traffic, and ideal for travel around the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze. If you're going outside the centre (Nowa Huta, for example), we recommend you purchase a 50min ticket for 4.60zł. 90min, 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, and unlimited weekend family passes for 16.00zł are also options, or consider the Kraków Tourist Card, which includes unlimited free travel on trams and buses amongst its benefits. Note that those over the age of 70 ride for free, as do kids until age 4 (ages must be proven with ID). ISIC and student cards are valid for ticket discounts, but you must carry your ID and be under 26.

Most importantly, you must stamp your ticket immediately on boarding the tram or bus in the small machines on-board, even if you bought your ticket on-board. Beware that inspectors regularly travel on the lines handing out costly fines to those without valid tickets, and are notoriously unsympathetic towards tourists. Seriously, riding without a ticket can not only ruin your day, but your entire trip to Kraków.

Car Rental

All most travellers need to rent a car in PL is 18 years of age, a credit card (not debit), and a valid foreign driver's licence. Be aware, however, that those from countries that didn't ratify the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (United States, China, Australia...) cannot legally drive on their home licences; technically an International Driver's License is required in those cases (in the US these are issued by AAA for a fee). If you don't have a license in line with the Vienna Convention, or the required IDL, you may be denied the ability to drive a rental car. Though some car rental companies (the dodgier ones) will still rent you a car (since it's good for their business to ignore international law), be aware that you are assuming full liability if you get behind the wheel; not only can you get a citation from the police, but if an accident were to occur, you would be fully responsible for any damages, regardless of the circumstances.

If you're looking to leave the country in your rental car, be aware that you can't cross the borders into Ukraine, Belarus or Lithuania in a rental car.

Taxis

Not the dodgy enterprise it once was, Kraków taxis are reliable, affordable and use their metres without any fiddling around. Calling ahead will get you a better fare, but if you hail one from the street make sure it is clearly marked with a company name and phone number displayed, as well as a sticker demarcating prices in the window. Taxis are now legally obliged to give you a printed receipt at journey's end further limiting the likelihood of any funny business. You can expect a standard fare to be about 7zł plus about 2.30zł per kilometre; at night and on Sundays, however, fares increase by up to 50%.

For those just arriving in town, taxis await you on the rooftop parking lot of the train station, and outside the airport where ‘Kraków Airport Taxi’ has a monopoly on service to the Old Town, charging an outrageous 69-89zł for the fare. We suggest you split it with like-minded travellers in the same predicament.

Whether or not to tip your taxi driver is a bit of a point of contention. Many Poles do not consider taxis a service that necessitates a tip and thereby, if you're Polish, the driver may not expect one. But double standards being what they are, it's anticipated that foreigners will leave a tip, in which case 10% is appropriate, or simply rounding up the bill. We leave it to you.

Alternative taxi services Uber and Bolt (much-loathed by Kraków's taxi companies) are also available in Poland, in fact Uber has in chosen Kraków as its European hub. Both services offers cashless transport via their popular worldwide mobile applications. Those already familiar with Uber or Bolt will find Kraków well-covered by their services, however there are some drawbacks. Specifically, Uber and Bolt drivers don't have the same permissions as regular cabbies and may not be able to take you as close to your destination, or get you there as directly; such is the trade-off for cheaper rates.

Scooter & Moped Rental

2019 was the year of the scooter wars in Kraków (and across Europe apparently), as several international scooter start-ups suddenly burst onto the scene simultaneously, offering electric motorised scooter rentals via various free smartphone applications. Although annoying to some residents, these e-scooters actually provide locals and tourists a cheap, easy, efficient and environmentally-friendly way to get around Kraków's congested city centre (as long as they are used and parked responsibly). To get started you need an e-scooter app on your smartphone, and the services that seem to have survived into winter most strongly are , and Blinkee,Bolt andBird (though there are others). If you don't already have one of these apps on your phone, Blinkee is the best locally, and also works for mopeds; Bolt is the best across Europe and also works for car transport; Birdis the strongest in the US market. Unfortunately Kraków's own Hulaj start-up did not emerge out of the summer season as a popular service, with many users critical of the app.